Friday, May 17, 2013

Age ain't nuthin' but a number you forget.

Yesterday was my birthday. I turned 38.

Yay!

Two things haunted me about this particular birthday:

1. When I was a wee lass, my dad turned 38. And I made up my own version of "Happy Birthday:"
Happy birthday to you
Two years 'til 40
Then you'll be an old man
Happy birthday to you!

I thought I was soooooo funny. But really? I was heartless. Dad, I'm so, so sorry! I was wrong! I was so, so wrong! Please, tell me I was wrong. Please.

2. My husband never remembers how old he is. He will ask me how old he is, like I am The Keeper of Ages. The scary thing is that evidently, I, too, consistently forget his age - I always have to do math when he asks.

I don't understand how My Guy isn't bothered by dirty dishes on the kitchen counter (dishes! on the counter! the world could end!). However, this age business is an area where I need to adopt his zen attitude. What if we all forgot how old we are? How would we act?

I'd probably adopt an all-chocolate-cake diet. I'd dye pink streaks in my hair and sing along to Muzak in the grocery store. I would also throw the occasional impressive tantrum.

What would you do, my ageless friends?

13 comments:

  1. i think i would hurt myself badly because i love to hike and garden and camp, but at 55 with rheumatoid arthritis, my body remembers its age all too well. so, there i would leap gracefully (since never in my life ever) across a creek and things would seize up, well, shoot, that's been happening since my HS PE teacher laughed at my cartwheel.....i guess life would be the same. i'd still wear white socks with my birkenstocks and dress in jeans. i do wear pink now, after years of rebelling against pink and girly stuff.
    skubitwo

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  2. 38, my goodness, you are a wee pup, but congrats :)

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  3. Every time I have a birthday I think good Lord really.
    But this year...good Lord this one is biting me.
    So dance, laugh and love like there is no tomorrow.
    And, eat you some cake!

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  4. I think the nice thing about getting older (I'm 49) is that you can go back to doing things like eating chocolate cake and dying pink streaks in your hair. You even enjoy it more than you did when you were younger :-)

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  5. Today is my birthday. I am 20 years older than you. Happy birthday to an almost birthday twin...

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  6. Youngster! Today I am 53. I am for sure having cake today!

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  7. I'm 36 but for some reason for months I've told everyone I'm 37. By the time my birthday rolls around in July I'll be completely confused.

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  8. I'm 36 but for some reason for months I've told everyone I'm 37. By the time my birthday rolls around in July I'll be completely confused.

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  9. I'm 36 but for some reason for months I've told everyone I'm 37. By the time my birthday rolls around in July I'll be completely confused.

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  10. I'm 48. When my mom turned 50, I said to her, "Welcome to old age." That comment has been ringing in my head lately... ouch.

    Personally, I think the world needs more chocolate-cake-eating, pink-streak-sporting, Muzak-singing wild hares. Me? I'm gonna keep my hair long and red for as long as I like it, keep becoming more bold about being REALLY honest with everyone (including myself), and hopefully become one of those firecracker old women who makes people smile...and just a little bit afraid.

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  11. Happy birthday! Late though I am in my wishes... you still accept them, right?
    In my dreams, I can hike and jump and dance. In reality, I limp along and embarrass myself and my guy. He doesn't remember his age, either, but we're both pushing 50.

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  12. What would I do if I forgot my age? I wouldnt be afraid to take chances, look like an idiot and I would stop worrying so much about what other peope thought.

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